Plakias Forums

Plakias => Where to stay => Topic started by: Alex&fran G on July 06, 2006, 08:06:45 PM

Title: stella studios
Post by: Alex&fran G on July 06, 2006, 08:06:45 PM
 Just back from great 16 days at Stella, now called Stella Studios, what a great place,now with fitted kitchens,and as clean as ever. unfortunatly there was only a couple of people staying there in the second week there was only Fran and I there the good thing for us is with it being so quiet Stella sent us our lunch up  a few times that to was excellent.Marcus has his own website now, as well as an email address although Marcus admits he does get the emails but we do not always get his replies according him he is still learning his last phone bill 200 euros the wife was not impressed. website www.info@stella-studios.gr .so anyone looking for somewhere to stay will not be dissapointed. regards Alex g  
Title: stella studios
Post by: John R on July 06, 2006, 08:24:23 PM
Quote
Just back from great 16 days at Stella, now called Stella Studios, what a great place,now with fitted kitchens,and as clean as ever. unfortunatly there was only a couple of people staying there in the second week there was only Fran and I there the good thing for us is with it being so quiet Stella sent us our lunch up  a few times that to was excellent.Marcus has his own website now, as well as an email address although Marcus admits he does get the emails but we do not always get his replies according him he is still learning his last phone bill 200 euros the wife was not impressed. website www.info@stella-studios.gr .so anyone looking for somewhere to stay will not be dissapointed. regards Alex g 
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=6491\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

We had heard about the improvements at Stella Studios (I still like Stella pension at my age !!!)  and we are really looking forward to going back in September (for 17 days this time). There was a time when Medousa Taverna was hardly ever known about and we were one of the first to discover it's true merits and now have to suffer the resultant  overcrowding there. I have a feeling that Stella Studios will suffer the same "fate" and after 9 years become a VERY popular place. Oh well - as long as wee carry on booking years in advance............ I cannot imagine a better place than Stella Studios and wish them every success with their new image.

John R
Title: stella studios
Post by: Alex&fran G on July 06, 2006, 08:32:52 PM
Quote
Quote
Just back from great 16 days at Stella, now called Stella Studios, what a great place,now with fitted kitchens,and as clean as ever. unfortunatly there was only a couple of people staying there in the second week there was only Fran and I there the good thing for us is with it being so quiet Stella sent us our lunch up  a few times that to was excellent.Marcus has his own website now, as well as an email address although Marcus admits he does get the emails but we do not always get his replies according him he is still learning his last phone bill 200 euros the wife was not impressed. website www.info@stella-studios.gr .so anyone looking for somewhere to stay will not be dissapointed. regards Alex g 
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=6491\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

We had heard about the improvements at Stella Studios (I still like Stella pension at my age !!!)  and we are really looking forward to going back in September (for 17 days this time). There was a time when Medousa Taverna was hardly ever known about and we were one of the first to discover it's true merits and now have to suffer the resultant  overcrowding there. I have a feeling that Stella Studios will suffer the same "fate" and after 9 years become a VERY popular place. Oh well - as long as wee carry on booking years in advance............ I cannot imagine a better place than Stella Studios and wish them every success with their new image.

John R
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=6495\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
Hi John,spoke about you to marcus and I said the same thing he said dont worry because he will always say room number 1 is not available in June or September in order to keep it for us,funny enough I only discovered Medousa this year although I have passed it hundreds of times in and out of Stella,regards Alex.
Title: stella studios
Post by: John R on July 06, 2006, 09:11:13 PM
[/quote]
Hi John,spoke about you to marcus and I said the same thing he said dont worry because he will always say room number 1 is not available in June or September in order to keep it for us,funny enough I only discovered Medousa this year although I have passed it hundreds of times in and out of Stella,regards Alex.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=6496\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
[/quote]

That is wonderful. I do hope you kept room number 1 (the porthole room as we call it) all neat and tidy for our September visit !!

Best wishes - John
Title: stella studios
Post by: harribobs on July 06, 2006, 09:39:10 PM
sounds like you guys had a great time....lunch sent up to the room eh? ( treated like royalty!!)

maybe we should stop telling people how good the medousa is?

naaah!!
Title: stella studios
Post by: Aleksanderd on July 12, 2006, 03:38:36 PM
Anna view appartments that good price/quality choice.
I'd been there last year and I'll go there in the future for sure.
Excellent place.
This year I'm going to ski to glacias in Alpen.
Title: stella studios
Post by: Noopsy on August 11, 2006, 05:28:15 PM
Tried booking a room at the Stella this year.  I waited and waited but never got a reply to my e-mail.  Obviously they don't need the bussiness.  Shame.  
Title: stella studios
Post by: Ali & Dave on August 11, 2006, 08:06:39 PM
Noopsy, I seem to remember someone writing somewhere that they had had problems with their email system earlier this year

Ali
Title: stella studios
Post by: John R on August 11, 2006, 09:42:48 PM
They do need the business and you are missing out on one of the best places in Plakias. Now even more improved with full self catering facilities in all rooms. Their email system can be  a bit iffy and it is advisable to ring .

Stella's Son, Marcos, speaks English and is in charge of taking private bookings.

email brokalak@otenet.gr

to ring or fax Marcos (His wife speaks English as well) dial (from UK) 00302832031956

Their busines acumen may not be of the highest but their welcome and standards are of the ultra highest and  I would overcome every obstacle that there was to make sure I stay there. Your loss more than theirs. Just don't overcrowd the place for the two weeks commencing 26 September  

John R
Title: stella studios
Post by: DOTTY on August 12, 2006, 09:31:07 PM
Quote from: Noopsy 500
Tried booking a room at the Stella this year.  I waited and waited but never got a reply to my e-mail.  Obviously they don't need the bussiness.  Shame.  

You have been very unlucky. I am glad to say I have not, as Marcos replied to my emails with a very good deal.

Dotty
Title: stella studios
Post by: Alex&fran G on August 13, 2006, 07:23:02 PM
 
Quote from: Noopsy 500
Tried booking a room at the Stella this year.  I waited and waited but never got a reply to my e-mail.  Obviously they don't need the bussiness.  Shame.  

They certainly do need the business,the problem is marcos is very new to computers I booked last June and he sent me 4 replies before I received one,please give him a chance they are a great family and run an excellent business. Alex.
Title: stella studios
Post by: Noopsy on August 14, 2006, 02:14:18 PM
Thanks guys and gals.  

I'll give it another go next year (it would have been the Alianthos Gardens otherwise   ).  This time I'll try ringing as John R suggests, and if, perchance, someone not speaking English answers, hopefully my Greek next year will be slightly more advanced than this year.  

I've read so many good things about this place that I really do want to find out for myself.  Honest!  

Noopsy
Title: stella studios
Post by: John R on August 15, 2006, 07:54:08 AM
Quote from: Noopsy 500
Thanks guys and gals.  

I'll give it another go next year (it would have been the Alianthos Gardens otherwise   ).  This time I'll try ringing as John R suggests, and if, perchance, someone not speaking English answers, hopefully my Greek next year will be slightly more advanced than this year.  

I've read so many good things about this place that I really do want to find out for myself.  Honest!  

Noopsy

Both Marcos and his wife speak reasonably good English

John R
Title: stella studios
Post by: Alex&fran G on August 17, 2006, 05:16:55 PM
E mailed Marcos , about 3 days ago I have just got a reply he is having problems with his computer so if anyone does not get a reply give him a call as John suggests. Regards Alex
Title: stella studios
Post by: guyh on January 25, 2007, 03:00:30 PM
We've just booked Stella Studios for a week in June, booking direct with them via email and phone.  They seem very friendly and trustworthy, but I'd just appreciate some confirmation from regular visitors that I can rely on that, in the absence of any written confirmation of the booking ?

Thanks.  Hi to everyone in the forum, by the way - this will be my first stay in Plakias since 1990 (first visited in 1977, by overland coach !), but have stayed elsewhere in Crete more recently.

Guy & Helen
Title: stella studios
Post by: harribobs on January 25, 2007, 03:06:40 PM
Hi Guy

welcome to the forum

there's a review of the Stella Apartments here:-

Stella (http://forums.plakias.co.uk/index.php?autocom=articles&code=showarticle&id=3)

You won't go wrong there!
Title: stella studios
Post by: John R on January 25, 2007, 03:48:08 PM
Quote from: guyh
We've just booked Stella Studios for a week in June, booking direct with them via email and phone.  They seem very friendly and trustworthy, but I'd just appreciate some confirmation from regular visitors that I can rely on that, in the absence of any written confirmation of the booking ?

Hi I am the one who wrote the review. Stella Pension is an exceptional place to stay. We have been there for about 9 years now. There may be some places as good (not many) but I doubt if there are any better. Cleanliness and friendliness are their main features. Rooms now have full self catering facilities but even so you may partake in Stella's breakfast which is somewhat better than it used to be as a result of the meagre allowance that the old tour operators gave her. Room safe, Air Conditioning all included in the price. Absolutely reliable, absolutely trustworthy. I must emphasise that those comments apply to many hosts in Plakias.

We will be there late September - keep the place tidy for us  

John R
Title: stella studios
Post by: Alex&fran G on January 25, 2007, 06:35:18 PM
Quote from: guyh
We've just booked Stella Studios for a week in June, booking direct with them via email and phone.  They seem very friendly and trustworthy, but I'd just appreciate some confirmation from regular visitors that I can rely on that, in the absence of any written confirmation of the booking ?

Thanks.  Hi to everyone in the forum, by the way - this will be my first stay in Plakias since 1990 (first visited in 1977, by overland coach !), but have stayed elsewhere in Crete more recently.

Guy & Helen
Hi Guy &Helen we have been going to Stella for a few years now as John said you wont get a friendlier or cleaner place we normally go in June but this year we cant get there till august, ( I must be there just before you John I will look after the port hole room for you.) regards  Alex
Title: stella studios
Post by: guyh on January 25, 2007, 10:52:42 PM
Thanks all - my query wasn't really about the standard of the Stella - I booked it after reading the glowing reviews here - but whether I can safely assume that a friendly but monosyllabic phone conversation with the owners, not backed up by any reply to my last email, can safely be treated as a confirmation of the booking...  I'm sure it'll be fine, but it would be nice to have it in writing !  

Guy
Title: stella studios
Post by: Mike G on January 26, 2007, 01:09:05 PM
Quote from: guyh
Thanks all - my query wasn't really about the standard of the Stella - I booked it after reading the glowing reviews here - but whether I can safely assume that a friendly but monosyllabic phone conversation with the owners, not backed up by any reply to my last email, can safely be treated as a confirmation of the booking...  I'm sure it'll be fine, but it would be nice to have it in writing !  

Guy
Hello Guy,

If it were me I would ask for written confirmation. Cock ups and misunderstandings can happen in the best run organisations, especially when English is not their first language. It's the only way to put your mind at rest. When you get there, plenty of forum members have given it a glowing write up so I'm sure you will enjoy it.

Mike
Title: stella studios
Post by: Susan K on January 26, 2007, 02:33:54 PM
Hi Guy

I agree with Mike, it is comforting to have written confirmation so I would send them enother email. Of course in the winter, things move very slowly so it is possible they simply haven't yet got round to replying yet.

Susan
Title: stella studios
Post by: John R on January 26, 2007, 03:13:28 PM
Quote from: guyh
Thanks all - my query wasn't really about the standard of the Stella - I booked it after reading the glowing reviews here - but whether I can safely assume that a friendly but monosyllabic phone conversation with the owners, not backed up by any reply to my last email, can safely be treated as a confirmation of the booking...  I'm sure it'll be fine, but it would be nice to have it in writing !  

Guy

I think I would email Markos asking him for a reply. His conversations are usually better than monosyllabic but I think you will be ok. I email him via brokalak@otenet.gr and usually get a swift reply.

John R
Title: stella studios
Post by: Steve Jones on January 27, 2007, 12:40:52 AM
Quote from: guyh
We've just booked Stella Studios for a week in June, booking direct with them via email and phone.  They seem very friendly and trustworthy, but I'd just appreciate some confirmation from regular visitors that I can rely on that, in the absence of any written confirmation of the booking ?

Thanks.  Hi to everyone in the forum, by the way - this will be my first stay in Plakias since 1990 (first visited in 1977, by overland coach !), but have stayed elsewhere in Crete more recently.

Guy & Helen

Well I hope that you enjoy your stay in Plakias.

Please let us know how you get on with the Stella Studios as I have recently booked up with them for July/August and I hope that it is as good as the reviews.

Steve
Title: stella studios
Post by: guyh on January 28, 2007, 11:59:08 AM
All sorted now - we've had the email reply from Markos, so roll on 19 June !

Guy & Helen
Title: stella studios
Post by: Regulars since 1992 on February 17, 2007, 05:43:01 PM
Having stayed at Stella's for more years than we care to remember now I just wanted to say that we can fully endorse what others have said about this accomodation. Rest assured you won't regret having booked with them and when you've been once there's every chance you'll return in the future.

We'll be back there yet again for two weeks in September.

G&S

NB Happy New Year to you and your better half John - doesn't seem like four months since we were sat at Heraklion Airport waiting for our return flights last October.
Title: stella studios
Post by: John R on February 20, 2007, 02:33:53 PM
Quote from: G&S
NB Happy New Year to you and your better half John - doesn't seem like four months since we were sat at Heraklion Airport waiting for our return flights last October.

Happy New year to you as well. AND we might just be having an action replay. Guess what. XL have written to me today to say that for commercial reasons they will not be flying from Newcastle to Chania in Summer 2007 and they have to cancel my flight. Normally this would be disastrous news. But yippee. I immediately Booked a cheap BA flight from Manchester (thankfully still available) and booked some extra time as well so we are flying via  BA Manchester / Heraklion - which is what we required in the first place - and we are coming on 21 Sept instead of 25 Sept and departing 09 Oct. And I get my XL flight deposit refunded as well - great stuff.

Seriously though it is a bit worrying about XL. Kosmar use them for their holidays from Newcastle. I suspect they may be just chucking off the flight only people - could be wrong ???

John
Title: stella studios
Post by: Regulars since 1992 on February 20, 2007, 04:37:25 PM
Excellent news for you, John, although the XL situation must be a bit of a concern for those taking package holidays from Newcastle as well as flight only bookers like your goodselves. Noted your revised dates, which means we'll be at Stellas just three days before you. Look forward to meeting up again then. Might try a Panda from Alianthos this time if the price is right.

Lucky enough to be off to NZ before then though.
Title: stella studios
Post by: Mike from Sussex on February 20, 2007, 04:38:27 PM
[quote name='John R' date='Feb 20 2007, 03:33 PM' post='8087']
[quote name='G&S' post='8072' date='Feb 17 2007, 06:43 PM']


Seriously though it is a bit worrying about XL. Kosmar use them for their holidays from Newcastle. I suspect they may be just chucking off the flight only people - could be wrong ???

John
[/quote]

Kosmar don't use XL, XL own them and have done for a little while.

Glad it worked out to your benefit.

Mike
Title: stella studios
Post by: Regulars since 1992 on February 20, 2007, 05:13:45 PM
Unless I'm missing something, it sounds like bad news for potentially all XL and not just Kosmar clients looking to fly from Newcastle to Haraklion this summer then.
Title: stella studios
Post by: Regulars since 1992 on February 20, 2007, 07:12:43 PM
Sorry everybody, apart from my typo re Heraklion, I should have said Chania instead. Didn't read John's note carefully enough first time round.
Title: stella studios
Post by: John R on February 20, 2007, 07:48:54 PM
Quote from: Mike from Sussex
Kosmar don't use XL, XL own them and have done for a little while.


Mike

Well whatever -those booked from Newcastle may be very disappointed unless some suitable alternative has been arranged. Unless of course we were the only people flying from Newcastle and they cancelled for that reason  

Quote from: G&S
Noted your revised dates, which means we'll be at Stellas just three days before you. Look forward to meeting up again then. Might try a Panda from Alianthos this time if the price is right.

Lucky enough to be off to NZ before then though.

That is excellent  - looking forward to meeting up with you both again. We'll have to have a formula 1 Panda race around the island. Pit stops at every other taverna.

NZ in winter and then Crete in Summer - a man of contrasts (I envy you).

John
Title: stella studios
Post by: Regulars since 1992 on February 20, 2007, 10:01:34 PM
Hi John,

Look forward to spending some time relaxing with you and your good lady in the autumn.

Have managed to fit my '07 motorsport reporting commitments around our NZ and Plakias hols. Bit of travel writing tied in with the former too.

All the best

G
Title: stella studios
Post by: Mike G on February 21, 2007, 01:38:51 PM
Quote from: John R
Seriously though it is a bit worrying about XL. Kosmar use them for their holidays from Newcastle. I suspect they may be just chucking off the flight only people - could be wrong ???

John
Hello John,

I know you are only speculating, but if you are right it is rather sharp practice, on a par with First Choice pulling out of Plakias in 2004 and not bothering to tell those who had booked, in the hope that it would be too late for them to make alternative arrangements for Plakias.

Mike
Title: stella studios
Post by: John R on February 21, 2007, 04:24:36 PM
Quote from: Mike G
Quote from: John R
Seriously though it is a bit worrying about XL. Kosmar use them for their holidays from Newcastle. I suspect they may be just chucking off the flight only people - could be wrong ???

John
Hello John,

I know you are only speculating, but if you are right it is rather sharp practice, on a par with First Choice pulling out of Plakias in 2004 and not bothering to tell those who had booked, in the hope that it would be too late for them to make alternative arrangements for Plakias.

Mike

I agree. I've hunted around to see if I can find any "news" about the situation. If indeed they really are not flying from Newcastle then there will be a lot of holidays spoilt. I've tried to make dummy bookings on the Kosmar site relying on  Newcastle to Chania flights and get a firm no availibility message. Either they really have pulled off the Newcastle to Chania flights (They still do Heraklion) or they are so overbooked that they are throwing out flight only bookings. Unlike 1st Choice they have told me and I assume others and made an immediate refund etc. etc.

Today Markos of Stella emailed me welcoming me for the 4 additional days that this situation now enables me to enjoy.

John
Title: stella studios
Post by: Mike G on February 22, 2007, 01:26:17 PM
Quote from: John R
I've hunted around to see if I can find any "news" about the situation. If indeed they really are not flying from Newcastle then there will be a lot of holidays spoilt. I've tried to make dummy bookings on the Kosmar site relying on Newcastle to Chania flights and get a firm no availibility message.

John
I wonder if the transfer is the issue for them for resorts such as Paleohora and Plakias which are a long way from the airports.

For example, in the past I have tried in vain to persuade Manos to include Plakias in their resorts and was told that because of the length of the transfer they would have difficulty in obtaining a coachful for each flight. I think they are wrong, certainly for Gatwick, Manchester and possibly Glasgow as well, but it's their loss as well as a loss to the property and service suppliers in the resort.

Transfer is an issue for everyone who doesn't hire a car at the airport and is the one of the reasons why I prefer the "package tour" to the "independent" route.

Mike
Title: stella studios
Post by: Mike from Sussex on February 22, 2007, 03:23:16 PM
Quote from: Mike G
For example, in the past I have tried in vain to persuade Manos to include Plakias in their resorts and was told that because of the length of the transfer they would have difficulty in obtaining a coachful for each flight. I think they are wrong, certainly for Gatwick, Manchester and possibly Glasgow as well, but it's their loss as well as a loss to the property and service suppliers in the resort.


Mike

I went with Kosmar last September the 5th, Gatwick/Chania. At the airport, the coach was probably a bit over half full, but after all the North Coast drops, there were only 10 or 12 of us left on our way South.

I can see that transfers are a problem to operators. It would be nice if separate transfers, perhaps by minibus, were made for the Plak and Paleo customers, giving transfers of an hour and a half or less, but that would put up the cost, which goes against the grain for non "bespoke" operators.

I think I prefer the current system over the possibility of an operator "accumulating" the Plakias clients from three or four flights before putting them on a dedicated coach. People on the first plane could have several hours wait before even boarding the coach.
Title: stella studios
Post by: Graham_and_Karen on February 27, 2007, 12:52:16 PM
Quote from: Mike from Sussex
I went with Kosmar last September the 5th, Gatwick/Chania. At the airport, the coach was probably a bit over half full, but after all the North Coast drops, there were only 10 or 12 of us left on our way South.

I can see that transfers are a problem to operators. It would be nice if separate transfers, perhaps by minibus, were made for the Plak and Paleo customers, giving transfers of an hour and a half or less, but that would put up the cost, which goes against the grain for non "bespoke" operators.

I think I prefer the current system over the possibility of an operator "accumulating" the Plakias clients from three or four flights before putting them on a dedicated coach. People on the first plane could have several hours wait before even boarding the coach.

I'm sure the extra cost of running a minbus to Plakias instead of extending the journey for a large coach can't amount to more than, say 10 Euro/person each way. I would gladly pay that to avoid the long transit times we've experienced in the past. The actual journey has often not been too bad - it's the delays at the airport waiting for one or two people with lost luggage or waiting for another flight to arrive that's been most frustrating.
Title: stella studios
Post by: cottampat on March 19, 2007, 11:31:00 PM
Couple of questions for John R (or anyone else) from a newcomer.

I have just checked the BA prices, Manchester / Heraklion in September.  Over £200 each.  Is this not expensive?

The fligts arrive after 10pm in the evening.  Is this not too late to travel in a hire car to Plakias?  Any tips for staying one night somewhere near the airport before travelling on to Plakias?

We have never been to Plakias before but would like to give it a try after reading everyone's comments on this excellent forum.
Title: stella studios
Post by: John R on March 20, 2007, 08:10:13 AM
Quote from: cottampat
Couple of questions for John R (or anyone else) from a newcomer.

I have just checked the BA prices, Manchester / Heraklion in September.  Over £200 each.  Is this not expensive?

The fligts arrive after 10pm in the evening.  Is this not too late to travel in a hire car to Plakias?  Any tips for staying one night somewhere near the airport before travelling on to Plakias?

We have never been to Plakias before but would like to give it a try after reading everyone's comments on this excellent forum.

Hi

The price has gone up a bit - we paid £131 each but that has gone up to £176 each on our same dates (21 Sept to 09 Oct). The plane is filling up.

NO problems re your arrival time and certainly no need to stay overnight in Heraklion. In my opinion that would be as problematic as going straight to Plakias. Between the airport and Plakias there is NO urban motoring - very straight forward.

First the Hire care people will meet you off the plane - whatever time it arrives - they are 100% reliable. We now use Alianthos (Plakias based) but have had 100% service from the others we have used (Caravel and Ansos)

Obviously we now know the road very well to Plakias and have no qualms in driving to Plakias at night. At that time of night it is virtually traffic free and very easy indeed. The Stella Owners will most likely still be up to meet you but if not they will leave a key in the room door. You are likely to arrive at about 1am in the morning. That is not too bad for you as your body clock will still be UK time (11pm)

If you email me nearer the time (or any time !!) at john at fluteweb.net (put like that to help avoid spammers) then I can give you very detailed night time navigation hints for the journey to Plakias, for finding Stella Pension and for finding your room. Ask Markos for an upstairs front room if possible.

Hope that helps

John R
Title: stella studios
Post by: cottampat on March 20, 2007, 09:10:04 PM
Thanks for the tips, John.

I was a little worried about the night time journey on unfamiliar country roads.  Bad enough to get lost in daylight!  As I mentioned previously, whether we go to Plakias is going to depend on getting a flight from Manchester at a reasonable price.  Thanks again.  If we do decide to go, I will definately email you for directions from the airport, and any other advice for first time visitors.

Regards to all for the good info provided on this friendly forum.
Title: stella studios
Post by: Graham_and_Karen on March 21, 2007, 08:18:27 AM
Quote from: cottampat
Thanks for the tips, John.

I was a little worried about the night time journey on unfamiliar country roads.  Bad enough to get lost in daylight!  As I mentioned previously, whether we go to Plakias is going to depend on getting a flight from Manchester at a reasonable price.  Thanks again.  If we do decide to go, I will definately email you for directions from the airport, and any other advice for first time visitors.

Regards to all for the good info provided on this friendly forum.


Remember that if you collect Tesco Clubcard points, you can get 4 x their value off flights at www.xl.com (http://www.xl.com)
Title: stella studios
Post by: Mike G on March 21, 2007, 09:12:41 AM
Quote from: Graham_and_Karen
Remember that if you collect Tesco Clubcard points, you can get 4 x their value off flights at [url=http://www.xl.com]www.xl.com[/url] ([url]http://www.xl.com[/url])

...but also remember that if you want to redeem them at 4 x value for airport parking you must have the tokens and made the booking by the end of April. Shame!

Mike